Evaluate the importance of the Second World War to the growth of nationalism in Malaya.

Candidates will make an appraisal of the importance of the Second World War to the growth of nationalism in Malaya. Candidates may argue that Japanese occupation was the turning point for the growth of nationalism or they may suggest that other factors were more significant. Candidates may also evaluate events that preceded and/or followed the war. Candidates may refer to the nature of British rule before the war which led to the rise of leftists, Islamic groups and conservative elites demanding independence. In evaluating the importance of the Second World War
candidates may discuss the collaboration of the nationalist group Kesatuan Melayu Muda, the decision of the Japanese to allow Thailand to annex four Malay states and the fact that brutal treatment of Chinese Malays strengthened support for the Malayan Communist Party. The weak economic state of Britain at the end of the war may also be discussed.